 | HMS Naiad Association |
During the early part of 2011 a group of ex-crew members of the most recent HMS Naiad came together to form an Association with the aims of bringing together old shipmates to share memories, catch-up on news and regale the history of the four ships that bore the name "Naiad". In addition, it was felt that the welcome should be extended beyond former ship-members to colleagues, friends & families of her Leander-class sister ships and existing and former service personnel.
If are interested in reading about the Association, it's aims and would like to join, you can download the constitution and an application form on the Document & Links page. Details of subsequent Association meetings are shown below [Oct-2011]
Association Meeting (22 October 2011)
A meeting was held at the St George Hotel, Chatham on 22 October 2011. Edited minutes are published here:
Welcome & Apologies
10:30hrs Meeting opened by Chairman Brian Conran
Opening Prayer read by Iain Hurley
Welcome to one and all from the Chairman. The letter from Sir Paul Haddacks was read out by the Chairman expressing his disappointment at not being able to attend but relaying his warm regards for HMS Naiad and those who served on her.
Association Constitution, Purpose & Aim
Purpose of the setting up of the Association to the benefit of one and all to ensure that responsibility is taken by individuals for arranging reunions, fund raising and collecting of monies for reunions. Update on where we are in relation to setting up of HMS Naiad Association from meeting in February At Plough and Harrow Hotel, Birmingham.
Confirmed positions:
- President: Sir Paul Haddacks KCB*
* Commanded HMS Naiad 1982 – 1983
- Chairman: Brian Conran
- Secretary: Iain Hurley
- Treasurer: Bob Taylor
- Web-Master: Roy Crawford
Positions to be held for three years unless circumstances decree otherwise.
Iain Hurley (Secretary) stated that the minutes for the February meeting had been done but were not with us at this time he would look into providing some minutes in the future.
Merchandise
Iain showed members present the rugby and polo shirt he has had emblazoned with the ship's crest of HMS Naiad as a way of generating funds for the Association we would look to members to purchase these in the future. Iain said he can turn an order around within a matter of days to individuals who requested then. They come in a variety of colours, a selection was provided and were available to look at.
Finances
Bob Taylor (Treasurer) updated the members on the current situation re the financial state of the Association and mentioned that he would be looking at ways to generate funds as well through tie pins, lapel pins / badges, cuff links, ties and possibly mugs and tankards asked the members if they had any contacts who could assist by way of making ties with the badge thereon cuff links etc.
Bob stated that this was being done to ensure that everyone benefited from the organisation and not for individuals.
Membership
Bob asked members present to complete an application form to officially become a member of the Association those not already members completed the form and paid the joining fee. It was explained that those who attended the February meeting had paid the fee and therefore gained an extra 6-months. It was decided that Association membership would be renewed every twelve months at subsequent reunions.
Allen Elliott asked about setting up a direct debit to automatically transfer the fee from one account into the Association account to avoid the necessity of writing cheques or transferring the funds on a one-to-one basis.
Bob said he would look in to the setting up of a system whereby this could be done and report back to members via e mail.
Bob said he would send receipts out to those new members joining by way of e mail.
The Website
Roy Crawford (Web Master) gave an update on the current situation re the Association web site and the problems he had when he took it over from the previous owners administrators.
Brian asked that the Association own the site as opposed to Roy having ownership of it. This was agreed.
It was agreed to pay Roy an agreed sum for out of pocket expenses for setting up the site.
Roy was asked if he could put an area whereby members only could look at the site. Roy will look into this and report back.
Reunions
Iain spoke about future reunions commencing with should it be annually or bi-annually it was unanimous that it should be annually.
The date / weekend was debated and it was suggested and agreed that the same weekend should be utilized for the next reunion to fall in line with Trafalgar Day. This was agreed date of next reunion weekend of the 19th 20th and 21st of October 2012
Iain then asked members for the venue of the next reunion it was decided by members that it should be held in Liverpool. Iain to research hotels, activities for the weekend and report back via e mail to the members.
Thanks & Closing Remarks
Dave Bradshaw offered a vote of thanks to all who had organised the initial meeting in February and for the reunion this weekend.
A special vote thanks was nominated by Iain for Reverend John Williams MBE who had kindly written the prayers for the reunion and who we will meet at reunion in Liverpool next year.
There being no further business Roy Crawford read the closing prayer for those that had crossed the bar.
The meeting was closed at 11:25hrs by the Chairman.
Association Inaugral Meeting (11-13 February 2011)
A meeting was held at the Plough-and-Harrow Hotel, Birmingham on weekend of 11th, 12th and 13th of February 2011.In attendance were Bob Taylor, Brian Conran, Dick Jepson, Paul Gower, Nick Dale, Peter Carpenter and Ian Hurley. A discussion was held on how to progress the "Naiad" and it was decided to make it an Association with a proper constitution, regulation and membership. Membership to be £10.00 per annum with further details to be provided by Bob Taylor.
The positions balloted on were Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.
The positions were filled by;
- Chairman: Paul Gower
- Treasurer: Bob Taylor
- Secretary: Ian Hurley
However, due to personal circumstances, Paul Gower stepped down as Chairman and proposed Brian Conran who was seconded by Ian Hurley and voted in. Bob Taylor is now writing-up the constitution, which has been ratified by all members in attendance. Paul Gower took the minutes, which will be published in due course.
This year's reunion it will take place at the St George Hotel, Chatham on Friday 21st October and departing on Sunday 23rd October 2011.
All rooms have a sea view across the Medway, we have our own private function room plus music.
It was also discussed if future reunions should be moved around the country so they will be of benefit to all (e.g Chatham this year, Devonport next year and Liverpool the year after). These were just suggestions and are not written-in-stone. Suggestions are welcome on this subject.
As secretary and shipmate, Ian Hurley looks forward to hearing from one-and-all and to seeing everyone at this year's reunion. [March-2011]